the wicked, scheming j.r. ewing. the 81-year-old was reprising his role as j.r. in the tnt reboot of "dallas." >> you're not a kinder, gentler version of yourself? >> oh, hardly. >> reporter: along with family, his co-stars were at his side when hagman died at a dallas hospital friday. finally succumbing to the throat cancer he'd been battling. in a statement to nbc co-star linda grey said "larry hagman was my best friend for 35 years. he was the pied piper of life and brought joy to everyone he knew. the world was a brighter place because of him." on the site of the real-life south fork ranch outside dallas, fans mourned the loss of the tv legend. >> it's really sad. i mean, to hear. because his character just made the show. >> reporter: hagman was also remembered for his role as major nelson in "i dream of jeanie." friday night barbara eden reminisced about her co-star. >> i am deeply saddened. i mean, he was a big part of my life. a glorious man. wonderfully talented. quite frankly, i thought he would go on forever. >> reporter: hagman was the son of broadway